Smith River Vest

This design is a tribute to the people who work together to preserve tradition, ranch responsibly, and share the wool culture of Montana with a wider audience at large.

MATERIALS
Yarn Ranching Tradition Smith River (100% Montana Targhee wool; 266 yd [243 m]/3½ oz); natural gray, 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) (6, 7, 7) skeins.
Needles Size 5 (3.75 mm) and size 7 (4.5 mm) 24" circular (cir) needles; size 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles (dpn). Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions Ring markers (m); locking stitch markers; yarn needle.
Gauge 22 sts and 32 rows = about 4" (10 cm) in double seed stitch pattern, blocked.
Finished Size 34 (38½, 41½, 46, 50) (54½, 57½, 62)" (86.5 [98, 105.5, 117, 127] [138.5, 146, 157.5] cm) finished chest circumference. To fit 30–32 (34–36, 38–40, 42–44, 46–48) (50–52, 54–56, 58–60)" (76–81.5 [86.5–91.5, 96.5–101.5, 106.5–112, 117–122] [127–132, 137–142, 147.5–147.5] cm) chest circumference with 2–4" (5–10 cm) of positive ease. Sample shown measures 38½" (98 cm) and is worn with 2½" (6.5 cm) of positive ease.

NOTES

• The vest is worked bottom up from the hemline, first the back and then the front. It has a high-low hemline, with the back three inches longer than the front.
• You may lengthen or shorten the vest as desired when indicated in the pattern instructions.
• Work the armhole shaping in pattern, keeping the columns and rows of Double Seed Stitch as established.
• The front and back are joined at the shoulder by grafting the stitches, then stitches are picked up to work K2, P2 Ribbing for the neckline.
• I–cord ties are applied at each side for securing the finished vest.

Joanna Johnson is the author and publisher of knitting storybooks Phoebe’s Sweater, Freddie’s Blanket, Phoebe’s Birthday, and Henry’s Hat, along with literary knitting books Green Gables Knits, Sherlock Knits, and Little Women Knits. She and her husband, Eric, operate Slate Falls Press from their home studios in Loveland, Colorado.